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By admin: June 29, 2024

India's Largest Leopard Safari Opens at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru

Tags: Environment State News

India's largest and third leopard safari has been launched at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), located 25 kilometers south of Bengaluru.

An Overview of the News

• The safari, inaugurated recently, currently houses eight leopards with plans to increase the number in the future.

• Spanning 20 hectares, the safari is secured with railway barricades and enclosed with 4.5-meter-tall chain-link mesh and mild steel sheets to ensure the leopards remain within boundaries.

About Bannerghatta Biological Park

• Established in 2004, BBP was carved out of Bannerghatta National Park and is under the administration of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka.

• Encompasses 731.88 hectares, featuring a zoo, butterfly park, and rescue center.

• Focuses on scientific development, conservation, and breeding of endangered species.

• Offers safaris for tigers, lions, bears, and herbivores, alongside facilities for bird, reptile, and mammal enclosures.

List of National Parks in Karnataka:

• Nagarhole National Park

  • Located in Karnataka's Kodagu district.

  • Known for its lush woods, streams, hills, and waterfalls.

  • Home to tigers, Gaur, elephants, Indian leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, and deer.

• Bandipur National Park

  • Established in 1974 as a Tiger Reserve.

  • Significant habitat for wild elephants.

• Anshi National Park

  • Created in 1987 from Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

  • Part of Project Tiger since 2007.

  • Located adjacent to Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Kudremukh National Park

  • Known for dense forests and scenic waterfalls like Kadambi and Hanumangundi.

  • Diverse fauna includes lion-tailed macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, and sloth bear.

• Mudumalai National Park

  • Shares boundaries with Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

  • Noted for its elephant and tiger populations.

• Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Situated around 245 kilometers from Bangalore.

About Karnataka

• Capital:- Bengaluru (Executive Branch)

• Chief minister:- Siddaramaiah

• Governor:- Thawar Chand Gehlot

• Bird:- Indian roller

Itanagar Woman Police Station Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Tags: Awards State News

The Woman Police Station in Itanagar, under Capital Police, has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification.

An Overview of the News

• This certification is globally recognized for establishing and maintaining a high-quality management system.

• It signifies the station's commitment to effectively handling crimes against women and children.

• The certification process involved a rigorous evaluation of the station's procedures, policies, and practices.

• It confirms that the station not only meets but exceeds required standards in service delivery.

• The achievement reflects the dedication of the entire team in ensuring justice and community safety.

About Arunachal Pradesh

• It is a state located in the northeastern region of India. It shares its borders with the countries of Bhutan, China and Myanmar.

• Establishment:- 20 February 1987

• Capital:- Itanagar (Executive Branch)

• Chief Minister:- Pema Khandu

• Official flower:- Rhynchostylis retusa

• Official Animal:- Gayal

GRSE wins 'Sustainable Governance Champion Award 2024'

Tags: Awards

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. received the "Sustainable Governance Champion Award" at the Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit & Awards 2024.

An Overview of the News

• GRSE demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable practices and governance excellence.

• The award acknowledges GRSE's integration of sustainability into core operations.

Innovation and Environmental Stewardship:

• GRSE is recognized for driving innovation in sustainable shipbuilding practices.

• The company promotes environmental stewardship within the maritime and defense sectors.

Technological Advancements:

• GRSE has implemented advanced technologies in its shipbuilding processes.

• These technologies focus on eco-friendly measures to minimize environmental impact.

Significance of the Summit:

• The Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit & Awards is a prestigious platform for industry leaders and policymakers.

• It celebrates and promotes sustainable initiatives across various sectors.

CAG has Inaugurated the Chadwick House Museum in Shimla

Tags: National News

Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Girish Chandra Murmu, inaugurated the 'Chadwick House Navigating Audit Heritage' Museum in Shimla.

An Overview of the News

• Chadwick House, a historic landmark in Shimla, hosted Mahatma Gandhi during the 1946 Cabinet Mission.

• After independence, it housed a training school for the Indian Audit and Accounts Service until neglect led to its near demolition in 2018.

Restoration and Establishment:

• The Supreme Audit Institution of India intervened to preserve Chadwick House's heritage.

• An MoU with Prasar Bharati in December 2020 initiated its transformation into a museum.

Museum Features:

• The museum showcases the evolution, achievements, and milestones of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) institution.

• It comprises ten galleries exploring various aspects of CAG's history through artefacts, documents, and interactive displays.

• Exhibits include historical documents, artefacts, and photographs documenting CAG's role in governance and audits.

Inaugural Address and Purpose:

• Murmu highlighted the museum's role as a knowledge repository and an inspiration for future auditors.

• Chadwick House and its museum symbolize dedication to public service and governance integrity.

Educational and Historical Value:

• The museum uses multimedia and artefacts to educate visitors about CAG's contributions to India's governance.

• It aims to preserve and showcase the historical significance of auditing in India.

Arundhati Roy Wins 2024 PEN Pinter Prize for Unflinching Writings

Tags: Person in news

Renowned Indian author Arundhati Roy has won the prestigious PEN (Poet, Playwright, Editors, Essayist, Novelist) Pinter Prize 2024 for her 'unflinching and unswerving' writings.

An Overview of the News

• The prize is shared with a designated 'Writer of Courage', someone who has been persecuted for speaking out about their beliefs.

• She will receive the award at a ceremony co-hosted by the British Library (BL) in London, United Kingdom (UK) on October 10, 2024.

Selection Process:

• Arundhati Roy was chosen by a panel of judges: Ruth Borthwick (Chair of English PEN), Khalid Abdalla (Actor and Activist), and Roger Robinson (Writer and Musician).

About PEN Pinter Prize:

• Establishment: 2009 by English PEN, a founding center of a global literary network promoting literature and human rights.

• Purpose: Recognizes "Writers of Courage" who defend the dignity and rights of others through their words.

• Namesake: Award given in memory of playwright Harold Pinter, Nobel Prize in Literature recipient in 2005.

• Eligibility: Writers in English residing in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, or the Commonwealth.

• Previous Winners (2023):

  • Michael Rosen (British author)

  • Rahile Dawut (Chinese anthropologist, Writers of Courage)

About Arundhati Roy:

• Profile: Well-known contemporary Indian writer in English, screenwriter, activist, actress, and peace activist.

• Prosecution Threat: Currently facing the threat of prosecution over historic comments on Kashmir 14 years ago.

• Notable Works:

  • "The End of Imagination" (essay critiquing Indian nuclear policies)

  • "The Cost of Living" (1999)

  • "Power Politics" (2001)

  • "Field Notes on Democracy: Listening to Grasshoppers" (2009)

  • "Ministry of Utmost Happiness" (2017)

  • "Broken Republic: Three Essays" (2011)

• Other Awards & Honors:

  • Booker Prize: Won in 1997 for debut novel "The God of Small Things," the first Indian writer to achieve this.

  • Sydney Peace Prize: Awarded in May 2004 for her work in social campaigns and advocacy of non-violence.

Karnataka's Udupi Cochin Shipyard bags Rs 1,100 crore order from Norwegian firm

Tags: State News

Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), has secured a Rs 1,100 crore international order from Norwegian Firm Wilson ASA. 

An Overview of the News

• The order has been received by UCSL from Wilson ASA, Norway for the design and construction of eight 6300 TDW dry cargo vessels.

• Initially, four 6300 TDW vessels are contracted, with an agreement for an additional four vessels to be contracted by September 19, 2024.

Previous Contracts

• This new order follows a previous contract awarded in June 2023 for six 3800 TDW dry cargo vessels, currently under construction at UCSL in Udupi, Karnataka.

Vessel Specifications

• The vessels will be 100 meters in length with a deadweight of 6300 metric tonnes at a design draft of 6.5 meters.

• They will be designed by Conoship International, Netherlands, and will be environment-friendly diesel-electric ships intended for general cargo transport in European coastal waters.

Project Value and Timeline

• The total project of eight vessels is valued at approximately Rs 1,100 crore and is set to be completed by September 2028.

About Wilson ASA

• Wilson ASA, based in Bergen, Norway, is a leading short-sea fleet operator in Europe, transporting about 15 million tonnes of dry cargo annually with a fleet of around 130 vessels.

UCSL's Recent Deliveries

• Since UCSL's takeover by CSL, it has delivered two 62T Bollard Pull Tugs to Ocean Sparkle Limited and one 70T Bollard Pull Tug to Polestar Maritime Limited.

• UCSL has also received orders for four more 70T Bollard Pull Tugs, with three for Ocean Sparkle Limited and one for Polestar Maritime Limited.

About UCSL

• It was originally incorporated as ‘Tebma Engineering Private Limited’ on July 09, 1984.

• It later became public and changed its name to‘Tebma Shipyards Limited’.

• Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) acquired the company through an NCLT order in Chennai and took over management in September 2020.

• This acquisition made the company a wholly owned subsidiary of CSL and a Government Company under the Companies Act, 2013.

• The name was changed to Udupi Cochin ShipyardLimited on April 22, 2022.

About Karnataka

• Capital:- Bengaluru (Executive Branch)

• Chief minister:- Siddaramaiah

• Governor:- Thawar Chand Gehlot

• Bird:- Indian roller

National Statistics Day - 29 June 2024

Tags: Important Days

National Statistics Day is observed annually on 29 June to honour the contribution of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in statistics and economic planning.

An Overview of the News

• Professor Mahalanobis, known as the 'Father of Indian Statistics', developed the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure to assess the difference between a point and a distribution.

• Purpose: To create public awareness on the role and importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation for India's development.

• Designation: Recognized as a "Special Day" by the Government of India.

Statistics Day 2024

• Theme:"Use of data for decision-making"

• Significance: Highlights the importance of data-driven decision making for informed decisions and evidence-based policy formulation.

Main Event Details

• Location: Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi

• Chief Guest: Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman, 16th Finance Commission

• Key Speakers:

  • Prof. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Chairman, National Statistical Commission (NSC)

  • Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI

• Participants: Senior officers from Central Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, representatives of international organizations (World Bank, UN agencies), and other stakeholders.

• Webcast/Live Stream: The programme was web-casted/live streamed through the social media handles of the Ministry.

Key Highlights

• Essay Writing Competition: Winners of the ‘On the Spot Essay Writing Competition, 2024’ for Postgraduate Students were felicitated.

• Report Releases:

  • Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2024

  • Data Snapshot on Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework, 2024

  • Sustainable Development Goals - National Indicator Framework, 2024

• Portal Launch: e-Statistics Portal and Central Data Repository for Official Statistics containing time series data of important macro indicators and data asset catalogue of the Ministry were launched.

History of National Statistics Day

• The Government of India designated 29 June as National Statistics Day on 5 June 2007.

• The designation was given to acknowledge the significant contributions of Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the field of statistics and economic planning.

• The first celebration of National Statistics Day took place on 29 June 2007.

• Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis was a prominent figure who played a key role in the first Planning Commission of India.

• He was instrumental in the establishment of the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931.

• The day is celebrated as a tribute to Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis and his remarkable contribution in the field of statistics.

About Indian Statistical Institute

• Director - Prof. Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay

• Headquarters - Kolkata

• Establishment - 17 December 1931

India Becomes World’s Third-Largest Domestic Aviation Market

Tags: Reports

India has surpassed Brazil to become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, following the U.S. and China.

An Overview of the News

• This ranking is based on data compiled by the aviation analytics firm Official Airline Guide (OAG).

•  The growth has been driven by airlines like IndiGo and Air India expanding their fleets to meet the increasing number of air passengers.

• India’s domestic airline capacity doubled over the past decade, rising from 7.9 million seats in April 2014 to 15.5 million in April 2024.

• Comparison with Brazil and Indonesia: Brazil now ranks fourth with 9.7 million airline seats, followed by Indonesia at fifth with 9.2 million.

Growth Rates

• Highest Growth Rate: India posted the highest annual average capacity growth rate among the top five countries at 6.9%, followed by China at 6.3% and the US at 2.4%.

Airline Dominance

• IndiGo and Air India: These two airlines, which have more than 1,000 planes on order, dominate the market, accounting for 9 out of 10 domestic seats.

Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs)

• According to OAG, India has experienced the most significant shift towards low-cost carriers (LCCs) among the top five countries.

• As of April 2024, low-cost carriers (LCCs) represented 78.4% of India's domestic capacity. This was followed by Indonesia at 68.4%, Brazil at 62.4%, the US at 36.7%, and China at 13.2%.